Rating: 2 stars out of 5
I have mixed feelings about this book. It could have been so much better if it had gone in a different direction.After a bust gone wrong that kills his partner, Jack heads off to an Indian Casino to wait out his suspension while they investigate. He is drawn to the manager of the casino, Taylor (who is constantly referred to by his last name Brandt) even though he only plans to gamble, sleep, and drink.
I couldn’t quite figure out if Jack was gay and suppressed it or was just in the closet or is bi or ?? But this is his first experience with a man. And, it is definitely an experience.
Taylor, or Brandt, is gay and has had some bad relationships. Of course both of those were with cops so he is wary. Both of them took BDSM way too far to the point that he almost died. You’d think after the first he would have learned his lesson. He also mentions that he was mostly trying BDSM out. Uh, that is kind of extreme. And if the first time left you almost dead, why try again?
So Damaged these guys definitely are. But they way they come together is not healthy at all. Jack uses Brandt to punish himself. Brandt uses Jack to punish his former Doms. Honestly, it is books like this that give BDSM a bad name. I love broken characters and watching them find love and redemption. But this was not the way to do it.
I didn’t feel a connection between them at all. More like they were each objects to each other. A ways to a means.
There was a bit of a subplot about Native American lore and the forest surrounding the casino and the inordinate amount of people who seem to commit suicide there. It was mentioned here and there and, again, it could have made a really strong impact at one point but it was kind of just tossed off.
And the pretty rainbow bow at the end was a bit too much after the darkness of the book. I would give this a pass.
Cover art: Tricia Owens. The cover aptly indicates parts of the story and gives the reader a major element at a glance. Great job .
Book Details:
Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 133 pages
Published February 12th 2018 by Tricia Owens
ASINB07N7F5M4H
Edition Language English
Published February 12th 2018 by Tricia Owens
ASINB07N7F5M4H
Edition Language English
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 